51Թ

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View synonyms for

least

[leest]

adjective

  1. smallest in size, amount, degree, etc.; slightest.

    He gave the least amount of money of anyone.

  2. lowest in consideration, position, or importance.



noun

  1. something that is least; the least amount, quantity, degree, etc.

  2. South Midland U.S.the youngest in a family or group.

adverb

  1. to the smallest extent, amount, or degree.

    That's the least important question of all. He talks least.

least

/ ː /

determiner

    1. the superlative of little

      you have the least talent of anyone

    2. ( as pronoun; functioning as sing )

      least isn't necessarily worst

    1. if nothing else

      you should at least try

    2. at the least

  1. at the minimum

    at the least you should earn a hundred pounds

  2. (usually used with a negative) in the slightest degree; at all

    I don't mind in the least

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. superlative of little

    they travel the least of all

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. of very little importance or rank

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of least1

First recorded before 950; Middle English leest(e), Old English ǣ, superlative of ǣ; less
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of least1

Old English ǣ, superlative of ǣ less
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. at least, Also at the least.

    1. at the lowest estimate or figure.

      The repairs will cost at least $100.

    2. at any rate; in any case.

      You didn't get a good grade, but at least you passed the course.

  2. not in the least, not in the smallest degree; not at all.

    I am not in the least concerned about the outcome of the World Series.

In addition to the idioms beginning with least, also see at least; in the least; last but not least; to say the least.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

If anything, the downturn, at least in terms of employment at the studios, has continued.

From

At least one covers his face with a mask as they walk into the property and begin looking around.

From

There were at least a dozen men in fatigues, according to Medina and videos reviewed by The Times.

From

“I feel like out of my whole family, I’m the least afraid of the stuff that’s happening,” she said.

From

That doesn’t mean, however, that there’s no opportunity to pressure at least some Republicans into heeding their base’s distrust of AI technology and the people behind it.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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